Council plans to cut £1.6m from youth services budget

Camden Council said it has to reduce its current £5m budget for youth support services because government funding cuts and social pressures have left it with a budget gap of £73m that needs to be filled by 2018.

It has said it plans to close two youth centres and redevelop another three.

Meanwhile it plans to stop funding an advice centre for under-25s, and will instead work alongside the voluntary and community sector to provide continued support to young people.

It also plans to stop funding the Choice and Opportunities On-Line project – a scheme that looks to increase participation in positive activities among young people.

Georgia Gould, Camden Council’s lead member for young people, said: “Half our [overall] budget has gone, which means we have to look again at all of our work and see where we can make reductions.

“I’m responsible for youth services and it is one of the areas we have had to look at.

“I’m absolutely passionate about youth services and I know how important they are to young people in Camden so it is an area we have tried to protect in relation to others but there still have to be some cuts.”

Camden Council has launched a consultation on the proposals that will run until 8 January 2016. Community meetings are also set to take place later this year.